Patrick Dempsey's mother, Amanda, dies of cancer

Patrick Dempsey’s mother Amanda died this past Monday at age 79 after fighting ovarian cancer since 1997.

Patrick, along with his sisters Mary and Alicia, founded a cancer center in Lewiston, Maine that provides “support and education to anyone impacted by cancer,” according to the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing’s website. The Dempseys partnered with Central Maine Medical Center, where Amanda received treatment, to found their organization. It is now in its sixth year.

“Amanda Dempsey was both a great lady and a determined fighter who displayed tremendous courage, class, and grace during her long battle with cancer,” Peter Chalke, president and CEO of Central Maine Healthcare, said in a statement. “ We will miss Amanda deeply, but we were all blessed by knowing her and being inspired by her life story.”